EC725 at Poland MSPO 2013

Eurocopter, September 02, 2013 - Eurocopter’s participation at Poland’s MSPO defense industry exhibition underscores its long-term commitment to this country, which includes the company’s EC725 Caracal offer for the Ministry of National Defense’s multi-role helicopter acquisition, and its intention to build on well-established partnerships with the Polish industry.

As part of the presence at MSPO – being held September 2-5 in Kielce – Eurocopter has brought for a second time the EC725 Caracal helicopter. The machine operating recently in Afghanistan, Mali or Libya belongs to the French Air Forces. The Caracal is proposed for Poland’s acquisition of 70 multi-role helicopters, with Eurocopter and Turbomeca (Safran) signing industrial cooperation agreements that include the creation of full assembly lines in Poland for the Caracal and its Makila 2 turboshaft engines.

“Our Caracal is a proven and reliable choice for Poland’s multi-role helicopter tender, as demonstrated by its battle-proven experience and confirmed by a growing list of customers,” said Eurocopter CEO Guillaume Faury. “Eurocopter’s response to the tender is fully coherent with our long-standing strategy of working with Poland’s industry to further integrate its companies into the global supply chain. We are ready to build this partnership well beyond the Caracal tender, and to support the Polish defense industry’s development.”

During the MSPO exposition, Eurocopter is displaying the Caracal with many of the weapons systems compatible with the helicopter, including window-mounted 7.62 mm. machine guns, pod-mounted 20 mm. cannons, 68 mm. rocket launchers, anti-tank guided missiles and torpedoes.The Caracal is the only modern, single platform and combat proven helicopter currently on the market that is capable of performing the widest range of missions – from armed operations and troop transport to naval or rescue duties. Already deployed in some of the most challenging theatres of operations today, this modern, multi-role 11-metric-ton-class helicopter carries up to 28 passengers in addition to the flight crew, and is equipped with a five- blade main rotor system, as well as the latest in avionics and systems. An impressive fuel capacity provides flight endurance of 5.5 hours. Current customers for the Caracal are France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Eurocopter is well placed to expand its presence in Poland while further assisting the integration of Polish companies into the global supply chain. The foundation for this strategy is based on a long-term approach of Eurocopter and its EADS parent company to cooperatively develop Poland’s aviation capabilities – led by EADS’ 2001 acquisition of PZL Warszawa-Okecie, the country’s longest-established aviation manufacturer.

About Eurocopter: Established in 1992, the French-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.